Pear Study With Pastel

"Pear", 6 1/4" x 10 1/2", Sanded paper
After I finished painting the jar, I decided to do a quick study with my pastels of this pear sitting on a old, wooden box. I used mostly Sennelier, Windsor & Newton and Unison pastels for this as well as a sanded paper from Uart that I had never tried before. I wasn't happy with this particular grit of sanded paper because I wasn't able to build up many layers of pastel. In the future, I'll probably return to my La Carte sanded paper or my own surface that I've prepared with pumice.

Jar Finished

"Jar on Windowsill", 5"x7", Linen on Board
Well, I finally finished this piece this morning...I'm glad! I was getting kind of tired of working on the same piece for such a long time, however, I am happy with the results. Again, some of the problems I encountered working on this piece were in dealing with values. I'd get an area wrong and then have to go back in and wipe it clean and start over. Maybe someday I'll get it right! I am happy with the lighting in this piece though and the shadows and reflections it created. Last Friday I dropped of new work at the Carver Hill Gallery which I'm hoping the gallery director will update her website with my new paintings. I'm not sure what I'll start in on next but I have been thinking a lot about pastels lately so maybe I'll go in that direction.

Sneak Peek Old Jar

I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything so I wanted to show you a "work in progress piece". This is the oil painting that I'm currently working on, title unknown at this time. The image is a vintage jar sitting on a windowsill but I'm only showing you the top portion of the painting. It's been taking me quite a bit of time to get this piece completed but I hope it will be worth it when it's finished. Well, it's back to the studio!

New Still Life

"Plums", 8"x8", Oil on Board
This is a piece I've been working on for awhile now. I'm just glad that I finished this before the new year. I painted most of this piece using thin glazes of color which I would have to let dry in between layers to get the desired effect. Probably my most difficult glaze was the light colored haze that you see on plums. I couldn't get that layer to dry quick enough and would end up ruining it and having to start over. At any rate, I'm finished! I'd like to wish everyone Happy Holidays! Take care!

Pastel Landscape

"Cape Elizabeth", 10 3/4" x 8 1/4", Pastel on Sennelier La Carte
I haven't done anything with my pastels in quite some time so I thought I would give this landscape a try. This piece was initially laid in with some harder pastels like Rembrandt and then as I build up the surface I use my Sennelier, Schmincke, Great American and Unison pastels. When the painting is finished, I usually do not use a fixative (which my framer hates) because it really changes the color of the pastel. For me personally, it feels good to work in a different medium once in awhile. Take care Everyone!

Old Playthings!

"Blocks and Marble", 6"x8", Oil on Linen
I finished this piece yesterday but I've been having a difficult time getting a good shot of the painting to post. I often wonder if other artists struggle as much as I do photographing art work. At any rate, I'm not happy with this piece but thought I would post it just the same. I've also been busy working on some pastels lately which I'm not sure if I'll post on here or not. I guess it will depend on how they come out.

Who Likes Cherries?

"Sunlit Cherries", 4 1/2" x 6", Oil on Board
I actually finished this piece yesterday. Probably my biggest challenge with this piece were the reflections on the bottom of the cherries. I had to do a lot of transparent glazes to get them just right. Some of the reflections had an almost graphic quality to them but that's really how they appeared. I think the arrangement of the cherries works and for some reason I was worried about it because I used four of them. For the most part, I'm happy with the piece!